{"id":1354,"date":"2022-04-04T01:22:17","date_gmt":"2022-04-03T22:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torva.ee\/turism\/meist\/"},"modified":"2024-04-15T15:19:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T12:19:43","slug":"meist","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/visittorva.ee\/en\/meist\/","title":{"rendered":"About T\u00f5rva"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

T\u00f5rva tourist area is waiting to be discovered!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

T\u00f5rva parish is located in southern Estonia, in the historical Mulgimaa region. Mulgimaa fascinates both with its unique nature and rich past, as well as with modern day exciting ventures and active people. The cultural core of Mulgimaa historically included the parishes of Halliste, Karksi, Helme, Paistu and Tarvastu. T\u00f5rva parish is located in the borders of the former Helme parish, which is one of the oldest parishes in Estonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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T\u00f5rva Central Square. Photo: Tiit Veerm\u00e4e<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know more about the Mulgimaa, then you should visit Mulgi Experience Centre<\/a>. The centre is a Mulgi landmark and bears the identity of Mulgi people. It is an architectural attraction, a museum, a centre for organising various events and a Mulgimaa information centre, as well as a sales centre for local products and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mulgimaa has been described as the Estonian Tuscany and T\u00f5rva as the resort of Mulgimaa – this is also the name of the T\u00f5rva Central Square which was completed in 2018 and won the title of the best engineering structure in Estonia. The central square can be enjoyed in many ways – \u00a0children can have fun on the playground, the older ones can play table tennis, families can have a picnic and take part in events. There are often various exhibitions in the central square for visitors to explore. In 2020, the first sand sculpture \u201cMulgi n\u00e4kk\u201d (\u201cMulgi mermaid\u201d) in T\u00f5rva was erected which turned out to be so popular that in the summer of 2021 an entire park of sand sculptures was created for everyone to enjoy. In 2022 the whole Freedom Park was built in support of Ukraine. The most important one – sand sculpture depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of the Statue of Liberty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that T\u00f5rva is the largest city in Mulgimaa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sand sculpture in 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By the decision of the Republic of Estonia, T\u00f5rva was granted the status of an official summer town already in 1937. T\u00f5rva is still a valued summer resort and during the summer visitors from near and far will find their way here for a number of reasons. There are four lakes in T\u00f5rva: Vanam\u00f5isa, Riiska, Veskij\u00e4rv and Tikste reservoir. One of the special features of T\u00f5rva is that the untouched nature of the \u00d5hne river valley lies right in the heart of the city. The landmark Tar Furnace, built by lake Veskij\u00e4rv, with its steps on the shore, attracts those in the central square to discover this ancient world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vanam\u00f5isa and Riiska lakes are official swimming beaches which mean that during the summer lifeguards are on duty and there are several attractions for children to enjoy. Pleasant summer destinations can be found across the parish – Pikasilla recreation area at the southern tip of Lake V\u00f5rtsj\u00e4rv is strategically located by the waterway, at the mouth of the river V\u00e4ike Emaj\u00f5gi, where you can find everything you need to enjoy a nice vacation and do some fishing. T\u00f5rva parish is also the location for the mysterious lake Koork\u00fcla Valgj\u00e4rv, one of the ten deepest lakes in Estonia, which hides the ruins of an ancient settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that the highest diving tower in the Baltics with a height of 11 meters is located at Lake Vanam\u00f5isa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Diving tower. Photo: Sven Zacek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important events of the year in T\u00f5rva parish is the T\u00f5rva Fire Days, an event that fills the whole parish with guests coming from near and far. The family festival lasts several days and includes activities for all ages, sports fans and culture lovers. In 2007-2017, a spectacular open-air performance T\u00f5rva Loits (The Spell of T\u00f5rva) took place and in recent years the culmination of the festival has been the Night of the Lights in T\u00f5rva which combines unique lighting installations, live fire, music and dance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially in honour of Tartu 2024, and for one night only, the legendary T\u00f5rva Loits will be brought to life \u2013 a traditional performance accompanied by fire, water, light and magic tricks! In the twilight, the crazy show merges with the magical light art and music of the T\u00f5rva Fire Night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High culture events can be enjoyed in the T\u00f5rva Church-Chamber Hall, which is a multifunctional cultural center hosting 35-40 concerts a year in addition to lectures, events, conferences and art exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that during the Night of the Lights event nearly a thousand candles are lit on Lake Veskij\u00e4rv?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Night of the Lights<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Excellent opportunities for sports enthusiasts have been created in T\u00f5rva parish. T\u00f5rva health trail is located in the scenic park forest surrounding lake Vanam\u00f5isa, winding  along the tracks in the ancient park around the lake. The hiking tour starts from the park of T\u00f5rva Gymnasium and there are many things to see along the trail: Keisripalu forest, Orjakivi sacrificial stone, Helme cemetery, Tikste ancient valley with Tikste and Pokard reservoirs and Tikste creek, on the shore of which you can see a sandstone outcrop and an old spring which was believed to have medicinal powers. In 2017, T\u00f5rvahealth trails hiking circuit was voted as the best health sports facility. T\u00f5rva health trails have excellent opportunities for skiing, running and hiking. In 2021, T\u00f5rva stadium was thoroughly renovated and the water and sauna center T\u00f5rva Veem\u00f5nula was opened. The health trails and disc golf course form an excellent sports complex , which was awarded with an honorary recognition from the Estonian Olympic Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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T\u00f5rva stadium. Photo: Sven Zacek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A health trail can also be found in Hummuli manor park, which is one of the best examples of English-style parks in Estonia. Soontaga hiking trail s a great place to enjoy pristine nature. Loodusturism.ee offers bog shoe trips in Rubina bog and the Teringi study trail; Mulgi parish is only 40 kilometres away from T\u00f5rva. In addition to the T\u00f5rva disc golf course, you can also play disc golf in Hummuli, Ala, Pikasilla and Ritsu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need some additional excitement during winter then head to Otep\u00e4\u00e4, the winter capital of Estonia \u2013 Kuutsem\u00e4e resort is just a half-hour drive away from T\u00f5rva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that Magnus Kirt, the best Estonian javelin thrower, is from T\u00f5rva?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Magnus Kirt at T\u00f5rva stadium. Photo: Egon Bogdanov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are several unique sights in T\u00f5rva parish that make it an exciting tourist destination for history buffs and thrill seekers. Less than 10 kilometres outside the town of T\u00f5rva in J\u00f5geveste is the only mausoleum in Estonia – the final resting place of the famous military leader Barclay de Tolly who defeated Napoleon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Barclay de Tolly mausoleum. Photo: Sven Zacek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Those interested in history are welcome to the Helme Parish Museum right next to the town of T\u00f5rva, where you will not only see preserved items, but also conserved memories where each item can tell a story about its maker, user or owner. The ruins of the grand Helme church and the ruins of the Helme order castle are waiting to be discovered nearby the Parish Museum. When visiting the ruins of the order castle, make sure you also visit the caves of Helme. Although some of the caves have collapsed over time, several passages are still waiting for visitors. You can also find interesting caves in Koork\u00fcla village. The caves of Koork\u00fcla, which according to folklore are also known as the Hell’s Tomb and a place of ghosts, are also still accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Military enthusiasts are welcome to K\u00e4re battlefields, where it is possible to experience history at its best, picturing you in the battlefields of 1944. Valga Military Theme Park is less than 30 kilometres from T\u00f5rva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that caves were used as a refuge during the war?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Helme caves. Photo: Sven Zacek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the center of T\u00f5rva you can enjoy the art of cinema in the Stalinist-style built cinema Koit. There are also other exceptional buildings nearby that hold a very valuable place in cultural history. The characteristic T\u00f5rva tavern building, built in 1834, is still a symbol of the parish center<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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T\u00f5rva tavern building. Photo: Sven Zacek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are several well-preserved manors around T\u00f5rva, the most famous of them is probably Taagepera castle, where Castle Spa Wagenk\u00fcll now operates. A majestic neo-Gothic knight manor can be found in Hummuli, which currently houses a primary school. Holdre manor is now renovated and the National Piano Museum has found its place there. If you want a truly luxurious accommodation, it’s worth going to Pokardi Manor, where The Manor Sports & Spa operates. In addition, you will find a knight manor in Riidaja – this manor is one of the best preserved baroque wooden manors in Estonia and currently houses Riidaja library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that in addition to its own cinema, T\u00f5rva also has its own radio periodically?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo: Kristjan Lust<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visit T\u00f5rva!<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

T\u00f5rva tourist area is waiting to be discovered! T\u00f5rva parish is located in southern Estonia, in the historical Mulgimaa region. Mulgimaa fascinates both with its unique nature and rich past, as well as with modern day exciting ventures and active people. The cultural core of Mulgimaa historically included the parishes of Halliste, Karksi, Helme, Paistu […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1354","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAbout T\u00f5rva - T\u00f5rva Turism<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/visittorva.ee\/en\/meist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About T\u00f5rva - T\u00f5rva Turism\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"T\u00f5rva tourist area is waiting to be discovered! T\u00f5rva parish is located in southern Estonia, in the historical Mulgimaa region. 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